A nationally and internationally significant urban centre adjacent to Delhi, Gurugram has gradually emerged as an urban area furnished with advanced infrastructure facilities and technologies. With this very understanding of the city shaping the design process, a campus branch of Delhi Public School, a highly recognized name among educational institutions in India, was developed in Gurugram’s Sector 45.
DPS International, Gurugram was initially imagined with the vision of creating a distinct personality in its architecture; one that was profound in depth, stability, and progress in all their manifestations, and with a unique structure that could captivate both first-time and regular visitors. The client’s idea was to realize such a vision by bringing back the old world charm of learning spaces that could simultaneously nurture young minds towards a future-focused mode of thinking.
To present a design that captured an entire school in a moment of timelessness while also accommodating its functional embrace of technology was certainly a challenge. The answer was to tread the footsteps of classical architecture, which is immortal in its appearance, while creating smart technology for the physical infrastructure and functional facilities of the school building. The result was a centrally air-conditioned school for 2,000 students over a built up area of 4.5 lakh sq. feet, with distinctive and eye-catching architecture, and proportions reminiscent of immortal, classical imagery. Within this built form, the school was to follow the globally-renowned IB curriculum and contain ‘smart’ classroom facilities, meeting world-class standards for educational facilities of the upcoming times.
The site, being extremely linear, presented certain setbacks during attempts to create a harmonious balance between the open and built up spaces. This issue of a monotonous and flat built area was effectively addressed by the creation of several building blocks, separated by open spaces in between. This allowed the segregation of activities among the primary, secondary, and kindergarten classes, with separate play areas for little kids on one hand and young boys and girls on the other.
The height of the building could not exceed much, owing to the standard classical proportions that were to be followed. The height was then adjusted by sinking the ground floor partially and slanting the top floor by creating dormer windows. This would balance the height in scale, with the front set back to create an aesthetically pleasing elevation. To further accentuate the front elevation of the building, a clock tower – a significant element of colonial classical architecture – was introduced at the front façade. This clock tower not only adds a remarkable detail to the building but, beyond architecture, is a powerful urban marker in the skyline, visible from a distance.
The central courtyard is another significant element proposed to become a major public space for children – be it for the Morning Prayer sessions, lunch-time hustle, prize distribution ceremonies, or Christmas parties. It was conceived as an ideal place to encourage student activities and help groom the interactive growth of the students.
DPS International, Gurugram is truly an example of an institution that effortlessly blends the timelessness of the classical orders with the innovative spirit of contemporary architecture.
